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Petite Puffer Coat Review

I decided to look for a new puffer coat this year and thought I’d share my journey, particularly for all you other petite fabbers in case any of you are looking too. I have long, cold, snowy winters, I run cold, and I do not like to hide indoors for 6 months, so puffer coats are a necessity (along with some wool ones). I own two puffers now, a thigh-length raspberry one from Lands End that is not very warm and getting a bit worn, and a black LE one (similar to the find) that is a little longer, a bit warmer, quite sporty, and a bit too big. (First two finds)

I decided to look for a knee length one that is quite warm but does not have to be “arctic expedition” warm or "Ontario walking commuter warm" like Suz needed until her recent move. I want a dark neutral but not black, and with a body-skimming modern somewhat polished look rather than a full-on sporty look. It needs to fit over a wool sweater or a blazer but not necessarily a super bulky fleece jacket. I also wanted moderate pricing, not for example Canada Goose pricing.

For fitted coats I almost always need petite sizing because I’m so short waisted, and that limited the selection hugely, plus they are NEVER in the stores around me. I looked online at Nordstrom and Lord & Taylor and found nothing, then found two at Macys. If I struck out there I was next going to look at LLBean, Lands End, Eddie Bauer but expected to find mostly the sportier looks there. (Nordstrom has LOTS of Canada Goose coats and there might have been some petites but I didn't want that price point so didn't pay attention)

Here is where I am so far

1+2 London Fog Burgundy: the fit is great, I love the color (I’m partial to brownish burgundies), and it has nice pockets, ribbed inner cuffs, and elastic grabber things to pull the hood snug. It feels a bit warmer than the MK one. The hood is removable. Lists at $275 US but Macys frequently has sales. In comes in black too.

3 + 4 + 5 Michael Kors Gunmetal: the fits is great on this one too, the color is good, I love the gold snaps. The side panels are a different fabric from the main body, and feel a little thinner than the rest of the coat which could make it less warm than the LF one. It also has ribbed inner cuffs, but no grabber things to pull the hood snug so the hood could flop around in wind . The faux fur trim is removable as is the entire hood. This one lists at $330 US but again Macys has lots of sales.

6+7+8Zara Mustard Short Jacket. A wild card that followed me home in regular sizing. Love the color! The body shape works really well for a petite, but the arms are too long and the hood is ginormous on me. It also comes in black, navy and bottle green. It’s a great jacket and quite warm, but I think I’m going to return it. I have a good amount of natural insulation in my lower body but can still be very cold in a short jacket in winter. $119 US.

I really like both the coats and am leaning toward the burgundy because I think the warmer color will make me happier than the grey, and it is physically a little warmer too. I don’t feel much of a need to keep looking.

What do you all think?

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Thanks for this fantastic review! I appreciate reviews of petite items! My favorite for you, given your descriptions, is the Burgundy one. But wow on that mustard Zara jacket! Too bad the hood is so enormous, it's probably not that functional, given it's too short and the hood is too big to be usable. But wow on color and fit at waist.

The burgundy color is lovely and while I understand having less use for a short jacket that Zara jacket is so fun on you! You wear that color well!

Have you tried the Bernardo brand at Nordstrom's? That is my go-to brand for petite puffers. That, and MK. The "packable puffer" style. They are not super puffy but keep me perfectly warm in Boston winters. Of course, I still have a "super puffer" for the most frigid of temps, but it doesn't get as much play as the sleeker ones.

Toban, EXACTLY RIGHT about the mustard jacket. I thought about getting the sleeves shortened and hood altered but I'm just not sure it's worth it.

Thanks Theresa!

Shiny, yes I've looked at Bernardo, in fact my much-loved puffer vest that I found at Nordstom Rack last year is a petite in that brand. I would love to find another one in another color. At the moment I only see one petite puffer on Nordstrom.com and it's a jacket not a coat, but I agree that Bernardo is a great brand for petite puffers and maybe they will add more offerings as the cold season progresses.

Thanks Angie! I really need to find something for my wardrobe in mustard so I stop bringing home every "stray cat" I find in that color.

kkards, yes both coats zip as well as snap, and good point about that being the most versatile closure system for cold and wind.

Suz thanks. I could always remove the hood on the mustard one (it IS detachable) but that doesn't seem like the best approach. You are right about the fill....both are "down and feathers" so not an ultra warm down-only fabrication but that's what I would expect at this price point and it's warm enough for my needs.

The mustard hat pic is hilarious. The burgundy is great. I agree with you about the burgundy over the grey. Esp for your wardrobe. In the past, my love of my grey puffies usually dies mid season. Sometimes grey can get to be too practical looking, if you know what I mean.

I like all of these on you, especially the mustard! But very sensible reasons for returning, a big floppy hood would be very annoying. I would kind of like a new down coat this year. I have worn my black one for quite a while and love it but getting bored with it. I sure wish there were more petites in stores!

Rachylou, so glad to hear from you the YLF Queen of Puffers! Yes a humungous furry hood is quite hilarious! Definitely know what you mean about grey looking too practical. Thanks!

RobinF totally with you on the dearth of petites in stores. (I did mean "dearth" but the word "death" would apply too ) The larger of my two local Nordies has almost completely stopped carrying petites, and I've never seen petite coats in a Nordies except as the very occasional one that was returned and ended up on a rack. such a bummer. Macy's is better. We need to start a revolution.

When I look at Nordie's online I am seeing two petite 3/4 length Bernardo puffer choices? You don't see those?

Re: the dearth of petites in the stores: I took my lunch time this week to hit a mall that had all the stores I needed to do returns at. It was hilarious. I was waiting in line behind all these petite women with packages also returning. Okay, hilarious if it wasn't so sad... the issue is real, my friend. I no longer shop at B&M. I order online. Then return in store, wistfully thinking just maybe there'll be something for me to try on. On the plus side I can at least fondle the goods in regular size, and see if it's worth ordering in my size!

Re: the Kenny hood... the gallery anorak I bought at NAS has a kenny-like hood as well. I almost returned it. Then I realized I could fold the edge over, and it would stay, and look a lot better, while keeping rain off my face, and still being able to see out of it. So do play with that mustard coat hood a bit before you make up your mind to return. Would still need sleeve shortening. Maybe take it to a tailor. Perhaps they could also add a cinch string in the hood. I really do love the color on you. It's so happy!

I’ve seen the ones with thin sides and wondered, what’s the point of that? I was looking at jackets earlier this year, and found that hoods needed the adjustment at the back of the head for a perfect fit. Less sporty jackets might lack that adjustment,though. I like the London Fog jacket on you best.

Cee...I'm not a South Park fan (just never watched it) but I had to go look that up...funny!

Hmm, shiny, now that you mention it I do see more Bernardo petite puffers, although they are "packable" weight so not quite as warm as I want and not colors I want. I think I was searching on "puffer" and not all of them are called that. Good to know, thanks for pointing it out! Wow, that's me in those return lines you stand in! I know you are in the Boston area, we should discuss what mall you go into for those returns. We could have a YLF "return line" meet-up. I will PM you... I'm not sure I love the yellow jacket enough to pay for sleeve shortening (will be a bit of work since there are zippers) AND something to deal with the hood.

Jaileen I totally agree, most hoods are so oversized that they fall in your face blocking your view if you wear them up (at least on me), and only the sporty ones have the little adjustable belt thing that fixes the issue.

Chris, I love the burgundy on you. Remind me how tall you are? Thinking I’d like to try it myself but I typically don’t wear petites. And would you say it’s true to size or did you have to size up in order to wear a sweater underneath?

And do you think it’s warm enough for below-freezing temps with a sweater underneath?

I had to laugh when I read what you wrote about bringing home all the mustard stray cats. I hope you do find the perfect mustard item, because that color is sooooo great on you! Both the burgundy and the gunmetal look great on you, but I think the burgundy gets a slight nudge into the wn column from me. I like it with your coloring just a bit more. Thanks for reviewing the petite items!

Aquamarine I'm 5' 1" or 2" depending how straight I'm standing I would say the coat is true to size. I ordering a PL and the fit seems just right with room for a warm sweater. I live in New England so we have plenty of below freezing days in winter and I do expect it will be warm enough with a warm sweater. I am very familiar with the difference between a moderately warm vs. a very warm coat. However I wont' get to totally prove it until we go through winter, which I do not want to rush

Thanks Mainelady! Actually the "bringing home stray cats" analogy is not a perfect one because with real cats I would keep them regardless of whether I liked their coloring. With mustard clothing items not so much

You have picked the best one, I really like that colour on you and the fit is so good. However, the mustard colour is wonderful on you, so sad that the fit was off. I actually laughed at the hood - it is massive on you! I am sure the right mustard item will find its way to you and it will co-ordinate beautifully with your new burgundy coat.